DARING ADVENTURESS

Shannon News, 30 July 1929, Page 4

DARING ADVENTURESS

NUN AND PRIEST DECEIVED.

COLLECTIONS "FOR A CHAPEL.'

An unusual affair has come to light az Angers, in France, the central figure being an adventuress who, during the past few years, has obtained more than 400,000 francs—about £3,4oo—by practising on the credulity of a nun and a priest. The fmuds cost the life of the nun's Mother-Superior, who died of grief when she heard of the matter. The being short' of money, adopted the simple expedient of having collections made for her. To ensure their success she enlisted the aid of the nun',. Sister Elisa, to whom she posed as a wealthy and pious woman, interested in works of charity. In particular she spoke of a chateau in a distant department, worth several million francs, which was legally hers, but to which there were several other claimants. Her suggestion was. that Sister Elisa sihould help her win the

impending legal action, wdien they would sell the chateau and build a chapel. Sister Elisa, persuaded by the woman's devotional manner, entered into the scheme and made a number of special collections. Thus in two years she was able to hand to the expected benefactress a sum of 200,000 francs. The cure of a small parish near Angers was then drawn into the net. He was given a promise that a school would be built, and he collected 100,000 francs, which was also given to the adventuress.

Last year the Mother-Superior of the community, hearing of the work, in which Sister Elisa was engaged, decided to put an end to it. The matter affected her so much that she died of grief several weeks after. The Bishop of Angers then intervened and relieved Sister Elisa of her vows. But though she ceased to be a nun, the ("dlcctions continued. The police then took the matter in hand, and the n,!venturers fled. . Sister Elisa, apparently frightened at the turn of affairs, also fled. Warrants for their arrests have boon issued.